There are a couple shirts that I’d say are hanging in my closet that I’d love to talk about, but the truth is they rarely see any hangar time. I can’t seem to skip more than a day without throwing them on. From grabbing coffee in the morning, to an afternoon bike ride, I’ll try my best to not be to gushy and tell it how it is.

Consistently in rotation, the Ibex Paradox Tee’s have taken the thrown for my go to tee’s both on and off the bike.

Truth be told, I am ,and likely will always, be an advocate for Merino Wool. Quite frankly I just didn’t expect the Paradox tee’s to fit so well. I have my fair share of wool socks, base layers, you name it, and for myself what I struggle with the most is finding pieces that fit right, because well doing what they do best is second nature.

The Paradox Tee’s are simple enough—no tags, regular fit, Merino and TENCEL blend. From the first ride, it’s become my go-to especially as we dance between the in’s and out’s of nice weather this spring.

Why It Works So Well

This shirt is built with a blend of Merino wool and TENCEL, which sounds technical, but here’s what it means in real life.

It’s soft, breathable, and keeps you at that just-right temp, no matter if you’re pedaling uphill or lounging at home.

It’s got the performance of your favorite bike jersey but the look of a clean, everyday tee. Basically, it does both.

  • The Fit – Relaxed fit but not sloppy. I’d say it favors a more modern cut. We’re active people and it’s not Lycra, so a little loose is welcome.

  • Temperature Regulation – Cool morning? It’s warm. Afternoon sun hits? Nothing to get heated over.

  • Odor Control – After a ride, a walk, or a whole day of errands, it stays fresh.

Ibex does the details well, the Paradox tee’s feature a reinforced neck seam to keep it from overstretching and being able to retain its shape, as well as, reinforced side seams for additional durability.

Less of a construction design and more of a comfort move, there are no tags in the way, scratching you, or noticeably distracting from the super cozy Merino feeling.

“This fabric blends merino with the natural cooling properties of Tencel™, a fiber derived from sustainably grown eucalyptus. We use Corespun technology to wrap those fibers around a nylon filament for additional tensile strength. This hybrid excels in hot and humid weather to keep you feeling cool and dry when the mercury rises.”

The Paradox Collection comes in specific Men’s and Women’s styles of long or short sleeves ranging from $80-90.

Chrome Southside 3.0 Bicycle Shoes

Real Life Use Case: Everything

I’ve worn it while loading up the cargo bike, layering under a jacket for cool morning rides, and even just throwing it on for a less enjoyable day on the computer. They’re one of those shirts that blend in everywhere but perform better than you’d expect.

It’s the shirt I don’t have to think about. And in a world full of over-designed and technical gear, that simplicity feels like a luxury.

In a more active application I’ll reference a recent two week trip to Southern Utah. Being in the thick of Spring we had warm sunny blue bird days on the trails, just to wake up and be greeted with rain the next day. It even snowed for an afternoon.

Dealing with unpredictable weather and wanting to be prepped for the day, I rotated both the long sleeve and short sleeve tee’s almost everyday. With the exception of one very warm sunny day that I finally wore a different jersey of the many I packed and hadn’t worn yet.

The takeaway after two weeks of sweaty long days riding? Not what you’d expect. Where a normal jersey would’ve needed to be retired or washed, I found myself being able to go the stretch of the trip without needing to seek out a washer. Coming home and having a fresh breath to verify my in the moment thoughts, proved true. While they were due for a wash because of the amount of use, it wasn’t because they were screaming for the need.

Worth It?

So, how does this pan out? Sure, there are cheaper long sleeves out there, but none I’ve tried feel this good, last this long, or pull double-duty so effortlessly. The Paradox Tees are understated, unflashy, and in my mind a welcome piece of wardrobe.

Some of you like the tech gear and the cool jerseys that scream out performance, but the rest of us are looking for something that’s visually more discreet while being able to keep up with the demands of real use.

The benefits of Merino Wool are no controversy, a quick search will unravel endless opinions of why we should be wearing more wool.

If you’re looking for one shirt to do it all—this is it. The Paradox Collection might not be the perfect tee for sub-zero temps, but I think it’s a solid 365 option especially when considering layering in the winter.

If you end up adding one of these tee’s to your rotation, be sure to check out Ibex’s thorough care instructions for detailed descriptions on how to wash, store and prevent pilling. How to Care for Merino.

Price: $80-90
Sizing: Men’s and Women’s S-XXL
Colors: Wave Lite Heather, Anthracite Heather, Goldenrod Heather, Escalante Heather
Website: ibex.com